Flask filling apparatus



v Spf.. 7, 1937. w. F; PIPER FLASK FILLING APPARATUS 2 sheetssheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1936 Sept. 7, 1937. w. F. PIPER n FLASK FILLING APPARATS Filed Jan. 25, 1936' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 unirse sm'rss PATENTV orties FLAsK ripiano APPARATUS Y Walter F. Piper,

Beardsley Oak Park, lili., assignor to The 85 Piper Company, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois v Application The present invention relates generally to apfor filling flasks with moulding sand. More particularly the invention relates to that type of apparatus which is designed for use in a foundry and comprises as the main or essential parts thereof (l) a rotary motor driven projector for clinging or projecting wads of sand downwardly into a subjacent ask; (2) a connection whereby the projector is suspended from an r overhead support so that it is movable bodily; and (3) power means for automatically moving paratus the projector over the flask so as to ll all portions of the flask with sand.

One object of the invention is to provide a flask 1 filling apparatus of this type which is an improvement upon previously designed apparatus of the same general character by reason of the fact that the power means for automatically moving the projector over the flask includes a variable speed reducing unit so that the speed at which the projector is moved may be varied or controlled at will. Y

Another object of the invention is a iiask filling apparatus of the type acter under consideration in which means is constructed and designed to swing the projector in a circular course over the flask.

A further object of the invention is to a flask filling apparatus which has certain advantages over and is less costly to construct than the apparatus which forms the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed by me of even date herewith and bearing Serial Number 60,806.

Other objects more particularly defined by claims clusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specication or disclosure and Vin of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an end View of an apparatus emwhich like numerals bcdying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal vconstruction and the arrangement of the parts of the rotary projector;

Figure 3 is a the line 4--4 ofFigure 1.

of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present flask lling apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are at the conside view of the apparatus; and Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on January 25, 1936, Serial No. 60,807

17 Claims. (Cl. 22-36) ter of the invention is designed for use `in a foundry or like establishment. It operates, as hereinafter described, to fill a subjacent iiask f with properly treated or prepared sand or like projector 5, an electric motor Ii for driving the projector, and power means 'l for automatically moving the projector in a circular course over the iiask so as to cause it to fill all portions cf the flask f.

The projector 5 is of the rotary variety and corresponds in design and operation to that which forms the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed by me October 18, 1934, Serial Number 748,795. It operates to form wads of the moulding sand or material and to sling the wads downwards in rapid succession into the flask f, and comprises a casing 8a hopper 9 for delivering sand into the casing, and a rotor III. The casing 5 is substantially cylindrical and embodies an annular wall II and a pair of circular or disk-like walls I2 and I3. The annular wall II has a downwardlyY extending, tangentially arranged discharge member It, which constitutes an outlet for the casing of the projector and is connected by bolts I5 to the upper l en d of a vertically extending wad directing tube I5. The circular wall I2 is formed integrally with, and serves as a closure for, one end of the annular wall II. The other circular wall, that is the wall I3, is formed separately from, and4` removably secured to, the annular wall of the casing so as to permit of access to the interior of the casing. The hopper 9 is adapted to receive moulding sand in stream form from an overhead sand conveyor (not shown) and serves to deliver or supply the sand into the casing 8 of the `projector via an inlet opening I'I in the central portion of thefwall I3.

The rotor IIB of the projector is disposed in the central portion of the casing and is provided with a hub I8 and a blade I9. The hub of the rotor is mounted on and keyed to one end of the armature. shaft 2t of the electric motor Ii so that the rotor is driven directly from the motor when the latter is supplied with current. The blade I9 is connected to and extends outwardly from the rotor and is adapted to rotate or swing around the inner periphery of the annular wall II `of the projector casing. During operation or drive of the electric motor the blade operates to form the sand Within the casing into wads and to swing or project these wads downwards through the discharge member I4 andthe tube I6 into the flask f. The blade is preferably rotated because it to to provide and charthe power provide mould-forming material and consists of a rotary 5I tween 1200 and 1800 revolutions per minute. The sand which enters the casing from the hopper 9 falls into the lower portion of the casing. During operation of the electric motor the blade I9 E picks up the sand in the lower portion of the casing and swings it around an arcuate liner 2I until the discharge member I4 is reached, During travel around the liner, the sand as the re`- M sult of the action .of centrifugal force and the shape of the blade, is formed or packed into a wad of closely or densely packed sand which when the blade reaches the member I4 is projected .through the latter and thence down the tube I6 to the flask f. The liner 2| ts against the inner '15 periphery of the annular wall II of the projector casing and extends from the low side of the discharge member around the wall II to the high side of the discharge member. The electric motor 6 is located adjacent to the circular wall I2 of the projector casing 8. It is coaxially positioned with respect to the projector casing and is xedly secured in any suitable manner to said circular wall I2.

The assembly of projector and electric motor is suspended from an overhead support 22 by means of a universal joint 23. The overhead sup- Dort is in the nature of a fabricated structure and consists of a pair of laterally spaced channel beams 24 and a tubular cross member 25. The

latter extends between and is welded at its ends to the web portions of the channel beams. The universal joint 23, as shown in Figures l and 3, consists of a pair of complementary U-shaped members 26 and 2l and permits the projector to swing universally to a limited extent. The U- shaped member 26 is disposed in an inverted position and the cross-piece thereof is provided with an integral upstanding part 28. The latter has a semi-cylindrical socket 29 for the tubular mem- 4() ber 25 and is secured to the member by means of a U-bolt 36. The latter serves releasably to clamp the upstanding part 28 to the tubular member 25 of the overhead support 22. By loosening the U-bolt 36 and sliding the part 28 lengthwise of the tubular member 25 the assembly of projector and motor may be moved bodily longitudinally and by loosening the U-bolt and rotating the part 28 around the member 25 the assembly may be shifted laterally. The end pieces of the U-shaped member 26 project downwardly and have axially arranged bearings 26a in which a bolt 3| is journaled. The U-shaped member 21 of the joint 23 is fixed to a plate 32 on the top portion of the casing of the electric motor 6. The side pieces of the member 21 project upwardly frorn the plate and carry a pin 33 which is journaled in a bearing (not shown) on a sleeve 34 on the bolt 3|. The universal joint 23 constitutes simple means for pivotally suspending the assembly of projector and motor so that it is movable universally to a limited extent over the flask f and is preferably arranged so that the assembly is balanced and will normally assume a substantially horizontal position. The

upstanding part 28 of the U-shaped member 26 of the universal joint together with the U-bolt 3U constitutes means for adjusting the assembly of projector and motor longitudinally and transversely relatively to the overhead support 22,

The power means 'I for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course or path over the ask f so as to cause it to 'lll all portions of the flask is mounted on a frame work 35 on the overhead support 22 and consists of an electric motor 36, a variable speed reducing unit 31, a

aooassi worm 38, a worm wheel 39, a rotary arm 44, and an upright 4I. The frame work 35 consists of a plurality of vertically extending angle iron members 42 and a plurality of horizontally extending channel members 43. The vertically extending angle iron members 42 extend upwardly from the channel beams 24 of the overhead support 25 and have their lower ends welded or otherwise xedly secured to the webs of the beams 24. The channel members 43 extend between and are welded to the upper ends of the members 42. The electric motor 36 of the power means 'i is located above the frame work 35 and is fixed to a carriage 44. The latter, as shown in Figure 1, is supported on a bed structure 45 which extends across certain of the channel members 43 of the frame work 35. The variable speed reducing unit 3'! consists of a pair of oppositely facing, cone shaped disks 46 and 4l, an endless belt 48, and a pulley 49. The disk 46 is mounted on one end of the armature shaft of the electric motor 6 and embodies an elongated hub 56. A spline 5I on the projecting end of the armature shaft ts within a spline-way 52 in the hub of the disk 46 and serves to drive the disk from the armature shaft during drive of the motor and also to permit the disk to move longitudinally of the armature shaft. The disk 4l is positioned in opposed relation with respect to the disk 45 and embodies an elongated sleeve-like hub 53. The latter is mounted on the hub 56 of the disk 46 and is connected to the latter by means o1" a spline 54 which is fixed to the hub 53, ts within a longitudinal spline-way 55 in the hub 53 and operates to drive the disk 4? with the disk 46 and permits the disk 41 to slide on the hub 56. The two disks are urged toward one another by means of a compression spring 56. The latter encircles the hub 53 and abuts at one end thereof against the outer face of the disk 4l. The other end of the spring abuts against a flange 5l on the outer end of the hub 56 and the disk 46. The endless belt 48 extends between the disks 46 and 4l and the pulley 49 and serves to drive the pulley from the disks. One end of the belt encircles the armature shaft of the electric motor 36 and ts between and engages the conical faces of the disks 46 and 41, and the other end of the belt extends around the pulley 49. The compression spring 56, because it serves to urge the two disks 46 and 41 toward one another, causes the side faces of the belt to engage the conical faces of the disk and serves automatically to take up for any wear. The carriage 44 is mounted on the bed strurcture 45 so that the motor is movable bodily to and from the pulley 49. Sliding movement of the carriage 44 with respect to the bed structure 45 is controlled by means of a screw shaft 58 which extends through an internally threaded socket 59 on the carriage and is mounted in a bearing 60 on the bed structure so that it is free to rotate but is held against axial displacement. A hand-wheel 6I is connected to the screw shaft and permits the latter to be turned. When the hand-wheel is rotated in one direction the carriage 44, together with the motor 36 is moved away from the pulley 43. When the wheel is turned in the reverse direction the carriage together with the motor is shifted towards the pulley. When the motor 36, as the result of manipulation of the hand-wheel 6I, is shifted away from the pulley the end portion of the belt 48 which encircles the armature shaft of the motor forces the disks 46 and 4l apart and in a sense contracts itself around the armaitarl ture shaft. s a result of this so-called contraction, the pulley iscaused to rotate at a relatively slower speed. When the 'motor 35 is shifted or moved towards the pulley 49, slack is caused; 51 to form in the belt and this slack' is taken upas the result of the compression spring 52 forcing the disks 4t and lll together and thus increasing the diameter of the portion of thevbeltwhich encircles the armature shaft. j By increasing the diameter of the end portion of the belt the ratio ofthe drive between the disks `iand fil' and the pulley 49 is' increased and the pulley is driven "faster or at an' increased speed from the disks. a By adjusting the motorto and from the'pulley `any desired speed reduction within a given range may be effected. The pulley Mis keyed or otherwise Xedly securedto a horizontally extending shaft 62. The latterV is journaled in suitable a bearings in al housing 63 which serves to house the worm 38 and theworrn wheel 39 and is mounted on a pair of horizontally extending angle iron bars 6d on the frame work 35. The worm 38 is fixed to the portion of the shaft 62 which is .e disposed within thehousing t3,`and meshes and serves to drive the worm wheel 39. The latter is disposed in the housing E3 and is xed to a vertically extending shaft 65 which `is suitably journaled in bearings in the housing. VrIhe rotary arm 4! extends radially with respect to the shaft 65 and embodies at-one endthereof a socket 66 in which the lower end of the shaft 65 fits and is fixedly secured. The upright il is connected at its lower end to one side ofthe plate 32 on the casing of the motor 6 and the upperl end of the upright is provided with a-pintle 61 which extends into a socket' member B8 Von the rotary arm llt. The central portion of the upright M is bent or angled so that the axis of the upper end ofl the upright as'projected, intersects the @universal joint 23. When the motor 36 is operated, the variable speed reducing unit 31 operates to drive the worm 33 andthe worm wheel 39 and the latter in turn drives. thev vertically eX- t'ending shaft 65. VDuring drive of 'this shaft the 5 arm 4l) is' swung round and round.` and operates through'the medium of the upright lil to swing the assembly of projector and motor in a circular path over the ilask f. The socket member tt is attached by means of a pair of bolts 69 to the arm il and the latter, as shown in Figure l, has a longitudinal series of holes lil whereby the socket member maybe attached to the` arm at different distances from the socket 66. By moving the socket membertoward or away from the! socket 66 the diameter of the circular path of travel of the. projector may be controlled or` changed as desired. By reason of the fact that the power meansll includes the. variable speed reducing unit 31 the speed'at which the projec- 0 tor is caused to swing. in a circular. path over the ask f may be controlled. Thisis animportant feature as far as the present apparatus is con.-v

cernedl inasmuch as in some instances it is desirable to rotate the projector at a low speed in order to have the sand pile or build up quickly during each revolution of the projector and in other instances it is` desirable to swing the projector around in its circular course of travel at a faster speed so that the sand does not build 0 up or accumulate as rapidly during each revolution of the projector.

The herein described apparatus consists of but a small number of parts and hence may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost. In 5 addition the apparatus is especially adapted for use in a foundry Vwherein an endless conveyor is provided for continuously or intermittently feedingv flasks beneath the projector.

The invention isV not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as lnew and desire to` secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a rotary projectorY adapted to form mould-forming material into wads and carried bythe structure so that it is movable bodily over the flask, and motor driven mechanism for automatically moving the projector over the flask for wad directing purposes including a variable speed reducingunit whereby the speed of movement ofthe projector over the flask may be controlled.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination'of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint, and power means for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course. over the flask.

3. In an apparatus of the character described ,a the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and suspendedfrom the support by way of a universal joint, power means for swinging the projector round and round in a circular course over the ask, and

means forvarying the diameter of said circular a course of the projector.

4. In an apparatus of the character described,

the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint, and power means with a speed control therefor, for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course overthe flask.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination'of a stationary supporting structure, a motor driven projector adapted to form mould-forming material into wads and project the latter into a subj acent ask and pivotally connected to said structure so that it is free to swing over the flask, and motor driven mechanism for automatically swinging the projector over the flask for wad directing purposes, including a variable speed reducing unit on the structure whereby the speed of swinging movement of the projector over the flask may be controlled.

6. In an apparatus of the Ycharacter described, the combination of a support, a motor driven projector adaptedfto form mould-forming material into wads and `project the latter into a subjacent flask, a mounting between the projector and the support whereby the projector is supported for limited universal movement over the flask, and motor driven mechanism for automatically swinging the projector round and round over the flask for wad directing purposes, including a variable speed reducing unit on the structure whereby the speed of swinging movement of the projector over the flask may be controlled.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven'projector adapted to ll a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint, power means including a motor and a variable speed reducing unit carried by said support, for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course over the ask, and means for varying the diameter of said course of movement of the projector.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to ll a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and having means associated therewith whereby it is supported from the support for movement over the flask, a substantially vertical member held in fixed relation with respect to the projector, and power means including a substantially horizontal arm rotatable on a xed Vertical axis and connected operatively to the upper end of said member for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course over the flask.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to ll a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and having means associated therewith whereby it is supported from the support for movement over the flask, an upstanding member projecting above and held in fixed relation with respect to the projector, and power means including a substantially horizontal arm rotatable on a xed vertical axis and connected operatively to the upper end of said member for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course over the flask.

10. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to iill a subjacent liask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint, an upstanding member projecting above and held in fixed relation with respect to the projector, and power means including a substantially horizontal arm rotatable on a xed vertical axis and connected operatively to the upper end of said member for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course over the ask.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a motor driven projector adapted to ll a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and carried by the structure so that it is movable over the ilask, an upstanding member projecting above and held in xed relation with respect to the projector, and power means including a vertically extending, motor driven shaft carried by the structure and a substantially horizontal arm projecting from and driven by the shaft and having its outer end connected to said upstanding member, for automatically moving the projector in acircular course over the llask.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent ask with mould-forming material and carried by the structure so that it is movable over the flask, a substantially vertical member held in xed relation with respect to the projector, power means for automatically swinging the projector including a substantially vertical motor driven shaft carried by said structure and an arm connected for drive by and projecting radially from the shaft and having the outer end connected by a pivotal joint to the upper end of said member, for automatically moving the projector in a circular course over the ask, and means whereby the pivotal connection between the upper end of said member and the arm may be adjusted lengthwise of the arm in order to vary the diameter of the circular course of movement of the projector.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent ask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint so that it is movable over the flask, and means whereby the joint together with the projector may be moved laterally of the support.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to fill a subjacent iask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint so that it is movable over the flask, and means whereby the joint together with the projector may be moved longitudinally of the support.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an overhead support, a motor driven projector adapted to lill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material and suspended from the support by way of a universal joint so that it is movable over the flask, and means whereby the joint together with the projector may be moved laterally and longitudinally of the support.

16. An apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination a supporting structure, a rotary projector adapted to fill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material, a mounting between the projector and the structure whereby the projector is supported to swing to a limited extent in all directions about a substantially ixed articulation point, and power means for automatically swinging the projector in a circular course over the flask.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a motor driven projector adapted to lill a subjacent flask with mould-forming material, a mounting between the projector and the support whereby the projector is supported for limited universal swinging movement, a substantially vertical member held in xed relation with respect to the projector, and power means applied to the upper end of said member for swinging the projector round and round in a circular course over the flask.

WALTER F. PIPER. 

